Madonna University Inducts New Doctors of Optometry

Catholic Campus in Nigeria Celebrates First Graduates

By Fr. Oliver Udaya (FJS)

ELELE, NIGERIA, September 25, 2013 (Zenit.org) - Founded by the Very Rev. Fr. Prof. Emmanuel M.P. Edeh, CSSp, OFR, out of his zeal to reinstate the sense of holistic education that can bring about peace in our modern society, Madonna University made a landmark achievement on Friday, 13th September, 2013, as she graduated her pioneer Doctors of Optometry.

Preaching a sermon during the Holy Mass of the induction ceremony held in Elele Campus, Father Oliver Udaya congratulated the inductees and urged them to recognize the limits of their knowledge and to sincerely seek improvement on what they already know in order to be good ambassadors of the University and her reputable Founder wherever they may find themselves.

In his brief welcome address presented by the Acting Head of the Department of Optometry, Dr. O.C. Ahuama, he accorded warm welcome to the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria, ODORBN, and Nigeria Optometric Association, NOA, led by the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Edu Ntem.

The Acting HOD maintained that only those Madonna students of Optometry who have been found worthy in character and learning during their years of study in the University shall be conferred with the certificate of Doctor of Optometry through the induction and oath taking ceremony.

In an induction lecture entitled, Role of the Optometrist in the Multidisciplinary Management of Vision Problems--A Professional Approach, Prof. F. Iwuagwu, asserted that the optometrist has the responsibility to communicate and interact with other multidisciplinary professionals in the best interest of the patient, saying that if this communication is based on a mutual understanding of each professional's role, the patient will receive the greatest benefit from a co-operative effort.

Addressing the mammoth guests at the induction ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Emma Chuks Ezedum, ably represented at the occasion by the Dean, Faculty of the Health Sciences, Assoc. Prof. E.C. Onyedinma, said: "At long last, the University, the Faculty, the Department and the students have got it right, and here we are, swearing in our first set of Doctors of Optometry."

The Vice Chancellor further reiterated that this feat follows hard on the heels of other Medically related programmes such as MBBS, Nursing Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Pharmacy and Public Health Science, which have been graduating professionals yearly for the past many years.

"As you very well know", the Vice Chancellor continued, "the impediments which bedevil other Universities in Nigeria such as prolonged strikes or any strikes at all, truancy of students and staff, cultism, sorting, exam malpractices, etc, are completely absent in Madonna University.

Impartial observers have told us that immediately our graduates in any field go into the larger society they stand out and clearly perform better than other graduates. This is a thing of great joy and should encourage you all", he adumbrated.

According to Dr. Samuel Edu Ntem, Registrar/CEO, ODORBN, in his address during the induction ceremony: Today is a day of great joy and celebration for fresh Doctors of Optometry trained by Madonna University as they undergo the induction ceremony that heralds their entry into the profession of Optometry.

In a special advice to the new Doctors, the Registrar said: "Interns are advised in their own interest to take the internship period as one for putting to practice what they learnt in school, and improve on their knowledge of clinical cases. Interns, he spoke further, should display a high sense of maturity and be worthy ambassadors of Madonna University."

In addition to the twelve graduates of Optometry from Madonna University, other graduates from other Universities including graduates from the University of Ghana joined in the induction ceremony. A total of sixteen Doctors of Optometry were inducted and sworn in by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria at the Elele Campus of Madonna University.

Highlights of the induction ceremony included the oath taking event administered by the Chief Executive Officer of the Registration Board from Lagos, Dr. Samuel Edu Ntem, issuance of the Provisional Registration Certificate of the Council to each graduate by the Registrar, and award of excellence by the Council to the best graduating students in both academic and moral dimensions.

In his vote of thanks on behalf of the Madonna trained Doctors of Optometry, Dr. Kelechi Ugwunna, the best graduating student of the year assured the Father Founder, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. E.M.P. Edeh CSSp, OFR, and his many collaborators that they will do their best as Doctors of Optometry in their areas of practice, promising that they will be good and glowing ambassadors of the great Madonna University-Nigeria.

Speaking in favor of the management of the University, Fr. Oliver Udaya used the occasion to advise and invite all well meaning Nigerians and foreigners alike to bring their children as well as wards into this great citadel of learning located in Okija (take off Campus), Elele (main Campus) and Akpugo (third Campus), for sound education.

"Thus, your application for admission into the various programmes of the University is welcome especially now that the 2013/2014 academic session has started in earnest. You should know that Madonna is excellent not only in academic studies but also and even most importantly in moulding the moral life of your children. So hurry up and bring them now. This is in your own interest as it will generate peace of mind and body in your family and in the larger society according to the goodwill of the Founding Father, Very Rev. Fr. Prof. E.M.P. Edeh, CSSp, OFR."

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